Doctor of Nursing Practice

The practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice is designed to prepare advanced-practice nurses and MSN-degreed nurse leaders to translate existing research into innovative solutions that improve health care outcomes and promote change leadership in organizations.

Elevating nursing practice and leadership

Through rigorous curriculum and peer discussion, DNP scholars expand current theoretical and scientific foundations of health care practice, including the discipline knowledge base, the design and evaluation of clinical solutions and clinical and organizational change leadership with topics including:

Health care information technology

Emerging areas of human health

Applied science in advanced nursing

Translation of research into practice

Population management

Data analysis

Patient outcomes and sustainable change

Leadership for advanced nursing practice

Throughout the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, scholars are immersed in practice activities that provide greater depth and application to learning. Learners will identify an organizational change leadership topic or health practice that will become the basis of the Direct Practice Improvement (DPI), to be carried out prior to completion of the program.

Course List

Course #

Course Title

Course Description

Credits

DNP-801

Introduction to DNP Studies

This course introduces learners to the skills and mindset necessary for success on the doctoral journey. These skills include critical thinking and analysis, navigating resources, academic writing for the doctoral level, identifying and understanding scholarly research, and the role of the practitioner-scholar.

3

DNP-805

Health Care Informatics

This course provides the foundations for using information systems/technology to support and improve patient care and health care systems. The course is designed to provide the tools needed to manage individual and aggregate level information and use information systems/technology to evaluate programs of care, outcomes of care, and care systems using industry standards and related ethical, regulatory, and legal principles. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course. Prerequisite: DNP-801.

3

DNP-810

Emerging Areas of Human Health

Advanced nursing practice requires practice expertise and specialized knowledge in making diagnostic and practice management decisions. This science-based course gives learners insight into emerging areas of human health to improve health outcomes and establish programs of clinical excellence and emphasizes guidance and coaching of individuals and families through developmental, health-illness, and situational transitions from a holistic perspective. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-815

Scientific Underpinnings

This course creates a base for the application of science into advanced nursing practice and includes philosophical, ethical, and historical foundations. Nursing science frames the development of theories and concepts to guide nursing practice and determine the nature and significance of health and health care delivery phenomena. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-820

Translational Research and Evidence-Based Practice

This course focuses on a core set of skills and knowledge application activities related to the translation of research into practice, the evaluation of practice, and improvement of health care outcomes. Learners examine evidence to guide improvements in practice and outcomes of care. Literature reviews focus on gaps or tensions in the translation of research into practice. Ethical considerations are also examined in the context of health care research. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-825

Population Management

This course examines ideas that promote understanding of aggregate, community, environmental/occupational, and cultural/socioeconomic dimensions of health. Learners analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, occupational, and environmental data in the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical prevention and population health. Evidence-based recommendations for health promotion and risk reduction for individuals and families and concepts of public health are emphasized. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-830

Data Analysis

This course focuses on the analysis of data that is grounded in clinical practice and designed to solve practice problems or to inform practice directly. It emphasizes the use of analytic methods to critically appraise gathered evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice. Learners also learn to disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research to improve health care outcomes. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-835

Patient Outcomes and Sustainable Change

This course prepares learners to develop effective strategies to ensure safety and quality health care for patients and populations and includes evaluation of health care outcomes. Learners engage in inquiry into the state of health care delivery, patient-centered care, sustainable change, and ethical principles surrounding practice. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-840

Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice

Advanced nursing practice requires political skills, systems thinking, and the business and financial insight needed for the analysis of practice quality and costs related to caring for the needs of a panel of patients, a target population, a set of populations, or a broad community. Learners conceptualize new interprofessional care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 50 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with this course.

3

DNP-955

DPI Project: Part I

Learners finalize an issue in health care that will become the basis of an evidence-based research project to be carried out prior to completion of the doctoral program. Learners leave this course with a project goal/topic, a literature review, and a clear description of how addressing the issue presented will improve patient care. A project proposal is written in preparation for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and submitted for approval. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 100 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with the three DPI Project courses. Prerequisites: DNP-801, DNP-805, DNP-810, DNP-815, DNP-820, DNP-825, DNP-830, DNP-835, and DNP-840.

3

DNP-960

DPI Project: Part II

Learners conduct the project approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Data is appropriately gathered for future analysis to determine if the practice investigated in the project brought about improved outcomes. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 100 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with the three DPI Project courses. Prerequisite: DNP-955.

3

DNP-965

DPI Project: Part III

Data gathered during the project is analyzed and evaluated to determine the outcomes garnered by the project. A proposal for dissemination and mass implementation is created. Learners identify areas of future research and practice change for the continued improvement of health care. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practice hours: Learners must be able to document a minimum of 100 concurrently or previously logged practice hours in association with the three DPI Project courses. Prerequisite: DNP-960.

3

Required Course Total Credit:

36

Courses:

36 credits

This program is offered in the following formats or locations:

Online

The dynamic capabilities of GCU’s online curriculum offer considerable flexibility and convenience for career oriented professionals who are pursuing their educational goals. Full time faculty members, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Our small class sizes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Classes begin frequently.

Program SOC

It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.

Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.

Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.

Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.

N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.

Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.

On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.

Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.